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Diam⚾️ndBuzz: December 26, 2024

2024 Angels: A Season of Change and Promise

The 2024 Los Angeles Angels season was a tale of bold moves, flashes of brilliance, and the lingering weight of unmet expectations. From an aggressive offseason to midseason trades, the Angels sought to end years of postseason drought. However, despite their best efforts, the team fell short of the playoffs. Now, as they head into the 2024/2025 offseason, the Angels have already made moves signaling their commitment to building a contender. Here's a look back at their journey and a roadmap for what lies ahead.

2023/2024 Offseason: Building the Foundation

The winter of '23/'24 was a busy one for Angels General Manager Perry Minasian. He knew changes were needed. The previous season had been another letdown, and with Shohei Ohtani's looming free agency, the pressure was on to build a competitive roster. Minasian began by addressing the pitching staff, a perennial Achilles' heel for the Angels. He brought in veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson, hoping for a return to his All-Star form. Robert Stephenson was added to the bullpen mix, as was veteran reliever Matt Moore, and Hunter Strickland to add some late inning experience. These moves signaled an intent to solidify the pitching staff, providing more support for the likes of Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval.

Offensively, the Angels made some lower-profile moves. Willie Calhoun was signed to provide some left-handed pop, and Aaron Hicks was brought in for outfield depth. These weren't splashy signings, but they were designed to add balance and experience to the lineup. The most notable move, however, was the trade that sent David Fletcher and Max Stassi to Atlanta in exchange for infielder Evan White and minor league pitcher Tyler Thomas. This move was primarily a salary dump, but it also opened up playing time for younger players like Zach Neto.

2024 Season Highlights and Challenges

Despite the team's overall struggles, there were some individual bright spots. Zach Neto emerged as a legitimate star at shortstop, showcasing his impressive two-way ability. Logan O'Hoppe proved to be a solid everyday catcher, providing steady defense and surprising offensive production. Taylor Ward had another productive season in the outfield, hitting for both average and power. On the pitching side, Tyler Anderson had a bounce-back year, providing valuable innings at the top of the rotation. Ben Joyce also emerged as a dominant force out of the bullpen, showcasing his electric fastball.

The Angels ended the season at 71-91, a record reflecting both bright spots and areas of concern.

Offensive Standouts

Logan O’Hoppe (C) emerged as a steady presence behind the plate, contributing 20 home runs and solid defense.

Zach Neto (SS) shined with a breakout campaign, recording 23 home runs and a 5.1 WAR, establishing himself as a cornerstone for the franchise.

Nolan Schanuel (1B) showed promise as a rookie, hitting .250 with a keen eye at the plate, drawing 68 walks.

However, perennial All-Star Mike Trout managed just 29 games due to injury, and Anthony Rendon’s struggles continued with a .574 OPS over 57 games.

Pitching Performances

The pitching staff saw a mixed bag of results:

Tyler Anderson anchored the rotation with a 3.81 ERA over 179.1 innings, earning his second All-Star nod.

Reliever Carlos Estévez excelled with 20 saves and a 2.38 ERA before being traded to the Phillies for prospects.

On the other hand, the rest of the rotation struggled. Griffin Canning and Reid Detmers combined for ERAs over 5.00, highlighting the team's need for consistent starters.

Trades and Midseason Moves

As the season progressed, the Angels continued to tinker with their roster. They acquired veteran infielder Luis Guillorme from the Mets to shore up their infield defense. They also purchased Roansy Contreras from the Pirates, hoping to tap into his potential as a starting pitcher. However, not all moves paid dividends. The Angels released several players who didn't perform as expected, including Aaron Hicks, Miguel Sanó, and Adam Cimber. They also made a few trades at the deadline, most notably sending closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia in exchange for a couple of pitching prospects. These moves suggested that the Angels were straddling the line between competing and looking towards the future.

Why They Fell Short

Ultimately, the Angels fell short of their goal of reaching the playoffs. Several factors contributed to their disappointing finish. The starting rotation, while improved, still lacked consistency beyond Anderson. Injuries also played a significant role, with key players like Mike Trout missing significant time. The bullpen, despite some bright spots, struggled to hold leads consistently. And perhaps most importantly, the Angels simply couldn't string together enough wins against quality opponents. They often beat up on weaker teams but struggled against the contenders in their own division and the American League.

Despite adding seasoned veterans, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing 25th in team ERA (4.90) and 26th in OPS (.671).

2024/2025 Offseason Moves and Speculation

Determined to turn the tide, the Angels have already made significant moves this offseason:

- Signed veteran starters Kyle Hendricks and Yusei Kikuchi, adding depth and stability to the rotation.
- Brought in Carter Kieboom, a former top prospect, to compete for an infield spot.
- Acquired Chuckie Robinson, a defensive-minded catcher, to mentor young pitchers.

As the 2024 season fades into memory, the Angels are once again faced with important decisions about their future. They've already made some notable moves this offseason, trading Griffin Canning to Atlanta for veteran outfielder Jorge Soler.

They've also brought in veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud, veteran infielder Kevin Newman, and veteran pitchers Kyle Hendricks, Yusei Kikuchi, and Dakota Hudson. These moves suggest that the Angels are prioritizing experience and stability as they look to build a more competitive roster.

They also acquired Chuckie Robinson from the White Sox, a defensive-minded catcher, to mentor young pitchers. Plus they brought in Carter Kieboom, a former top prospect, to compete for an infield spot.

But what else might they do? Here's a potential blueprint for the Angels to contend in 2025 and beyond:

To contend in 2025, the Angels must continue their aggressive strategy. Here's a blueprint for their offseason:

Address the starting rotation: While the additions of Hendricks, Kikuchi, and Hudson are solid moves, the Angels still need another front-line starter. They should explore the trade market for a young, controllable arm or consider signing a top free-agent pitcher if the price is right.

Strengthen the bullpen: The bullpen remains a question mark for the Angels. They need to add at least one more reliable late-inning reliever. They could target a free agent with closing experience or look to acquire a young, high-upside arm via trade.

Improve the offense: While the Angels have some talented hitters, they need to add more depth and consistency to their lineup. They should consider adding a left-handed power bat to balance out their predominantly right-handed lineup.

Develop young talent: The Angels have some promising young players in their farm system, and they need to continue to develop these players and give them opportunities to contribute at the major league level.

Extend key players: The Angels need to prioritize extending the contracts of their young core players, such as Zach Neto and Logan O'Hoppe. This will help to ensure that they have a solid foundation for the future.

These moves would not only improve the Angels' chances of competing in 2025 but also lay the groundwork for sustained success in the years to come. The clock is ticking for the Angels to build a winner around Mike Trout, and they need to make the most of every opportunity.

Outlook for 2025

With the right moves, the Angels could field a competitive roster built around Trout, Neto, and O’Hoppe. A rotation led by Burnes and Anderson, complemented by an improved bullpen and a deep lineup, would make the Angels postseason contenders.

The 2024 Los Angeles Angels were a team in transition, defined by bold decisions and growing pains. As they look to the 2025 season, the Angels have a clear mandate: build around their stars, invest in pitching, and capitalize on young talent. With a proactive offseason, the Angels could rewrite their narrative and bring October baseball back to Anaheim. The time is now for the Halos to rise.

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